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Review

2011
Audi
Q5 Review

Close to the top of the class

Reviewed by Automotive on
12/22/2010

In a Nutshell

The 2011 Audi Q5 is a luxury sport utility vehicle (SUV) or crossover, depending on your point of view. A leader in its class, the Audi Q5 combines Savile row styling with the smaller body size of the Audi Q7, making the Q5 a smaller, more efficient vehicle. The Audi Q5 offers a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine with 211 horsepower paired to an innovative eight-speed automatic transmission, which improves the Q5's fuel economy, which is rated at 20 mpg city/27 mpg highway. Also available is a V-6 engine that has received minor cosmetic changes.

The 2011 Audi Q5 wheelbase is the longest compared to the competition, ensuring the most rear seating and leg room possible possible but it's still not enough. The cargo area is on the spare side, but the interior is still spacious for a car in this class. Safety equipment and features are exceptional as always. The interior space is luxurious and loaded with high technology features.

New for 2011

The turbocharged four-cylinder engine is new to the Audi Q5 for 2011, as well as its 8-speed automatic transmission. Standard on the V-6 models are the sporty S Line bodywork and 19-inch wheels, while the top-trim V-6 models get adaptive headlights. An HD radio has been added to the navigation system, but the 6-disc CD changer is gone. In addition, the Q5 gets a new exterior color called Teak Brown.

Essentials

On the Outside

A clean, stylish crossover modeled closely after the larger Q7, the 2011 Audi Q5's ground clearance is average for the class. However, the towing capacity and wheelbase are at the top of the class.

From the Inside

The rich, upscale interior of the Audi Q5 is plush. While the long wheelbase model offers rear-seat legroom, it doesn't translate to cargo volume, which trails the competition, but interior space is equal to the leaders.

Driving Performance

Audi's hardest working engine, a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 211 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, is paired to an innovative 8-speed automatic transmission. Those seeking a bit more power can opt for the Audi Q5's 3.2-liter V-6 with 270 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque mated to a 6-speed automatic. Both configurations get Audi's quattro all-wheel drive system.